Having our cake and eating it too

Skeptics argue that we don't want to imitate a Europe burdened by
costly social supports that drag down economies. But a half-dozen
European countries, including France and Germany, now rival US
productivity output per hour, even while workers put in 150 to 500
fewer hours a year than the average American, according to data
released last month by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development. Meanwhile, Europe's work-family programs have expanded.

--- Maggie Jackson, Boston Globe, 2004 November 21

Different article, same paper:

On a recent trip to Germany, Baily, the economist, was struck by the
widespread pessimism he encountered. Said Baily: "Germany had a pretty
good long run of prosperity with generous social benefits, and people
can see that it is no longer sustainable."

The Germans are right. What they had isn't sustainable. Wrenching
adjustments lie ahead. That is the reality in a competitive world
economy.